trivet

ABSTRACT

A modular trivet arrangement includes trivet members including a first bar  1.004,  a first footing  1.008  at a first end of the first bar, a second footing at the second end of the first bar  1.010,  and one or more transverse bars  1.006,  each transverse bar being transverse to the first bar and intersecting therewith, the second bar having a third footing  1.012  at a first end of the second bar and a fourth footing  1.014  at the second end of the second bar. The intersection  1.026  between the first and second bars can support a cooking utensil. The modular trivet members include one or more engaging slots  1.016, 1.020  adapted to enable engagement with a cooperating modular trivet member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a trivet and to modular trivet elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for stove manufacturers to provide a number of different models, and this can require a different trivet configuration for different models. This creates a requirement for an inventory of differing trivet assemblies.

Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a modular trivet system which provides a number of discrete modular trivet elements which can be assembled in different configurations.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a modular trivet member including a first bar, a first footing at a first end of the first bar, a second footing at the second end of the first bar, and one or more transverse bars, each transverse bar being transverse to the first bar and having a third footing at a first end of the second bar and a fourth footing at the second end of the second bar.

The footing can include a foot pad.

One or more of the foot pads can be adjustable in height.

The footings can be of sufficient height to support the intersection of the first and second bars at a predetermined height above a gas burner.

The first and second bars can be formed integrally.

The first bar can include one or more transverse slots adapted to receive a second modular trivet member.

The transverse slot can open on the upper side of the first bar.

An enlarged section or pod can be formed on the first bar.

The pod can have a cylindrical section.

The pod can have an axis transverse to the first and second bars.

The transverse slot can be formed in the pod.

The slot can open on the lower side of the first bar.

Each end of the first and second bars can include a threaded projection.

The footing can be formed of a tube.

The adjustable pad can be adjusted by a screw cooperating with the threaded projection.

The end of the bar can include a projecting rim extending beyond the periphery of the tube.

The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits in front of the full stop or period indicate the drawing number, and the digits after the full stop or period are the element reference numbers. Where possible, the same element reference number is used in different drawings to indicate corresponding elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an section of a modular trivet arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an auxiliary trivet member;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a section of a footing;

FIG. 6 shows a further modular trivet member according top an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows detail of an exploded partial view of a connection between a pair of trivet elements according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a first assembly of modular elements according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a second assembly of modular elements according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further modular trivet member according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of an assembly of two modular trivet members;

FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of an assembly of three modular trivet members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a modular trivet member 1.002 in the form of a cross with a main support 1.004 having a cross-section in the form of a substantially rectangular bar, and a cross support 1.006 with a similar cross-section. At the ends of the main support there are feet 1.008, 1.010, and the cross support has similar feet 1.012, 1.014. These feet make the modular trivet member self-supporting. The feet provide good stability for the trivet member as the feet are located at the ends of their associated bars, so loads are applied inboard of the feet. The intersection 1.026 between the main bar 1.004 and the cross bar 1.006 forms the centre of a utensil support. Thus a pot can be stood on the junction which, in use, is centrally located on a gas burner.

The main support 1.004 carries upwardly facing auxiliary cross member recesses or slots 1.016, 1.020 each adapted to receive a further cross member. The auxiliary cross member recess includes reinforcing blocks 1.018, 1.022.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the trivet member of FIG. 1. The main bar 2.004 has feet 2.010, 2.012 at either end. The foot 2.014 of cross bar 2.006 is also shown. Each foot terminates in a pad such as 2.060 which can be rubber.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the trivet member of FIG. 1. The main bar 3.004 is seen end on, and the cross bar 3.006 has feet 3.014, 3.016. The edges of the main bar 3.004 and cross bar 3.006 are rounded as shown at 3.003, and the junction between the main bar and the cross bar are also curved as shown at 3.005.

FIG. 4 shows a trivet member 4.040 according to a second embodiment of the invention having a main bar 4.044 and a cross bar 4.046 intersecting at 4.066. The main bar terminates in footings 4.048, 4.050, and the cross bar terminates in footings 4.052, 5.054. The four feet make this trivet member self-supporting. The main bar includes a downwardly facing slot 4.056 adapted to engage an upwardly facing slot of another trivet member having an upwardly facing slot according to another embodiment of the invention, such as slots 1.016, 1.020 of the trivet member shown in FIG. 1. Thus the trivet element 4.040 can be connected to trivet element 1.002 by interlocking the slots 4.056 and slot 1.016.

FIG. 5 is a section view of a footing according to an embodiment of the invention. The end of the bar 5.044 has a threaded projection 5.055 and a projecting rim 5.058. The bar can be made of cast iron. The footing includes a tubular shell 5.050 which is preferably of stainless steel, but other suitable materials, including for example, aluminium or glass, can be used. A foot pad 5.060 of rubber or nylon or other suitable material is attached to the threaded projection 5.055 by screw 5.064. A cap 5.066 of aluminium encloses the upper side of the foot pad 5.060. Silicone sealant can be applied to the cap before insertion during assemble.

FIG. 6 shows a trivet member 6.068 according to a further embodiment of the invention. A main member 6.004 terminates in footings at either end and carries three cross members 6.069, 6.070, 6.071. This trivet member has eight feet and is self supporting.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded partial view showing detail of a connection between a pair of modular trivet elements according to an embodiment of the invention. A first bar 7.004 has a transverse cylindrically expanded portion 7.018 through which a slot 7.016 passes. The slot 7.016 is mutually transverse to the axis of the cylinder and to the bar 7.004. The bar also has an upper transition ending in plateau 7.007. Preferably the transition is curved.

An intersecting second bar 7.006 has a transverse slot 7.020 adapted to engage with the bar 7.007 at the cylindrical expansion 7.018. The walls 7.027, 7.028 of the slot 7.020 can be curved to conform to the walls of the cylinder 7.018. In the engaged state, the walls of the slot 7.020 overlap the walls of the cylinder 7.018, and the walls of slot 7.016 overlap the sides of the bar 7.006 to stabilize the join. The walls of the cylinder at 7.015 which are sectioned by the slot also provide stability against angular movement of the two modular members. The side walls of the slot 7.016 can provide additional stability when the bars 7.004 and 7.006 are engaged. The tolerance between the slots 7.016 and 7.020 and their mating walls are such as to enable ready assembly wand stable connection while avoiding problems due to possible different thermal expansions.

In practice, the edges of the bars and slots can be rounded.

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically an assembly of two trivet members according to an embodiment of the invention. A first trivet member 8.068 corresponds with the trivet member illustrated in FIG. 6, and trivet member 8.040 corresponds to the trivet member illustrated in FIG. 4. The first trivet member 8.068 includes an upward facing slot at 8.018, and trivet member 8.040 includes a downward facing slot 8.056. The slots 8.018 and 8.056 are engaged by placing the trivet member 8.040 over the trivet member 8.068 so that the slots engage. This arrangement can support utensils at at least one intersection such as 8.056, 8.066, 8.074.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically an assembly of three trivet members according to another embodiment of the invention. A first trivet member 9.002, corresponding to the trivet member of FIG. 1 is connected with second and third trivet members 9.040, 9.041, each corresponding to the trivet member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further modular trivet member according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an assembly of a first modular trivet member 11.068 similar to that shown in FIG. 6, with a second trivet member 1.040 similar to that shown in FIG. 4. The slot 11.056 of member 11.040 overlies and is engaged with the reinforced slot 11.016 of member 11.068. That is the reinforced slot 11.016 can support the weight applied to the junction of the members 11.040, 11.068.

FIG. 12 shows a trivet assembly including a pair of modular trivet members 12.040A, 12.040B similar to that shown in FIG. 4, and a modular trivet member 12.002 similar to that shown in FIG. 2. Member 12.002 has a pair of reinforced slots 12.016, 12.20 which engage slots 12.056A and 12.056B of members 12.040A and 12.040B respectively.

The trivet bars and footings can provide a colour contrast. For example the bars can be black and the footings can be silver or light grey.

The bars are preferably solid, but channel section bars are within the scope of the invention.

In this specification, terms indicating orientation or direction, such as “up”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “left”, “right” “upright”, “transverse” etc. are not intended to be absolute terms unless the context requires or indicates otherwise.

Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A modular trivet member including a first bar, a first footing at a first end of the first bar, a second footing at the second end of the first bar, and one or more transverse bars, each transverse bar being transverse to the first bar and intersecting therewith, the second bar having a third footing at a first end of the second bar and a fourth footing at the second end of the second bar.
 2. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein each footing includes a foot pad.
 3. A trivet member as claimed in claim 2, wherein one or more of the foot pads are adjustable in height.
 4. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footings are of sufficient height to support the intersection of the first and second bars at a predetermined height above a gas burner.
 5. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second bars are formed integrally.
 6. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bar includes one or more transverse slots adapted to receive a second modular trivet member.
 7. A trivet member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transverse slot opens on the upper side of the first bar.
 8. A trivet member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot opens on the lower side of the first bar.
 9. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one end of the first and second bars includes a threaded projection.
 10. A trivet member as claimed claim 9, wherein the adjustable pad can be adjusted by a screw cooperating with the threaded projection.
 11. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footing is tubular.
 12. A trivet member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the bar includes a projecting rim extending beyond the periphery of the tube.
 13. A trivet member as claimed claim 1, wherein the footings are of a contrasting colour to the bar.
 14. (canceled)
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 17. (canceled) 